Any changes? in Stool frequency, colour, consistency, shape or odour?

• Stool Pattern
  • How many BM in last 24hr?
  • Is the stool pattern consistent or inconsistent?
  • Has the change occurred suddenly or gradually?
  • Bristol Stool Chart (1-7)
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
• Stool Character
  • Stool colour, Greasiness
  • “Did you notice any black tool?” → Melena
  • “Did you notice any blood at all?” → BRBPR / Hematochezia
• Associated symptoms
  • See Abdominal/GI History

DDx (Keywords)

• Colitis → loose stools with blood, mucus and crampy lower abdominal pain
• Fat malabsorption or maldigestion → greasy, foul-smelling and bulky stools (Steatorrhea )
• biliary obstruction → very pale (acholic) stools
• CRC - Colorectal cancer → pencil thin stools

Mixed Pattern

• Alternating episodes ofConstipation and Diarrhea can be:
  • CRC - Colorectal cancer
  • Diverticulitis
  • IBS - irritable bowel syndrome